Newcomers to Houston may be surprised to discover that the land on which their homes are built may actually be more valuable than the structure itself, especially in the older, close-in neighborhoods of the city. A more expensive lot adds to the final price of a home. As the real estate professionals say, “Dirt drives prices.”
To make up for our smaller private yards, Houstonians have more extensive public spaces. In fact, Houston ranks first in total parkland among the ten largest cities in America. Houston is green: hike and bike trails honeycomb the city; parks, fountains, sculpture gardens, tennis courts, golf courses, and swimming pools are all readily available. This huge system of public parks is available nearly year-round. The pleasure of relaxing outdoors with our neighbors contributes greatly to Houston’s friendly atmosphere. Get ready for backyard barbeques, because “chillin’ and grillin’” is a beloved Houston tradition!
A healthy lifestyle includes good recreation choices, so let your agent know which sports you prefer. Houston home buyers should make proximity to an appropriate recreation facility part of their home shopping plan.